Training the spotlight on Sheryn

Being second choice is not all that bad. Sometimes, it turns out to be the better alternative and a good chance to show that talent waiting to be tapped. Ask Sheryn Regis and she will blurt a mouthful of thanks for training the spotlight on her, not just as a singer but as  an actress as well.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity and it feels great to act again,” Sheryn says.

It was in 2005 when Sheryn started wishing for a  show to bring out the actress in her. Her appearances on OK Fine Whatever, Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis or Nginiig were just icing on the cake. It is only now that she gets the chance to be part of a 13-week TV show. Sheryn plays the fairy godmother role initially meant for Pokwang on ABS-CBN’s Lovespell: Cindy-Rella topbilled by Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson.

The Cebuana singer doesn’t mind being second choice. She says, “I didn’t just get to fulfill my dream. I also gained the trust of people who believe I can do what Pokwang can do.”

After all, before emerging first runner-up in the first season of Star in A Million in 2003, Sheryn was a stage actress in her native Cebu since age 14 and has already tasted how it was like to perform in musical plays in the US and Canada. She also took acting workshops with Gina Alajar and Leo Martinez. Still, Sheryn finds TV acting challenging since she finds some words hard to pronounce due to her Visayan accent and some lines difficult to understand. Her director and scriptwriter are ready to help her understand the dialogues better.

And, like a diligent student willing to learn, the effort reflects in every scene of the show specifically those parts where Tagalog should be delivered straight.

In Cindy-Rella, Sheryn plays dual roles as Fairy god Mama and Fairy god Mumu. The latter is a black fairy while the former is a singing, happy and Visayan fairy who will help Cindy-Rella (Kim) go to the 21st birthday party of Prince William (Be Bench finalist John James Uy). The fairy god Mama reminds Cindy-Rella that she should be home by midnight or else she will be back to her ordinary self. But the poor lass forgets the warning and her envious sisters and stepmom are bound to see the transformation. They throw her in a well which links the fairy tale world to the real world where she will find her modern-day prince (Gerald).  

“I enjoy every moment of the taping. I now get to play with stars I was just watching on TV,” Sheryn quips.

 Does it mean a shift in career for her?

“I’m happy that I also get to do what I wished for, but singing remains my priority. I’m just fortunate to enjoy both worlds. If acting won’t last long, at least I’ve tried it but if given another chance I also want to do drama or comedy,” Sheryn says.

The petite singer also aims for a US immigrant visa as an option.

“You’ll never know what will happen, so it’s better to prepare for the sake of the family,” Sheryn states.

Teaching, according to her, also fits her as she passed the licensure exam after graduating with a degree in BS Secondary Education major in English at Cebu Normal University. Sheryn was about to teach in an international school when her singing career came in.  Co-star Pilita Corrales has nothing but praises for Sheryn.

“She is one of my favorite singers since she started and she’s got that distinct voice. Even if she’s a bit short, her voice makes her very tall,” notes Pilita.

With a compliment coming from Asia’s Queen of Songs, it makes Sheryn feel 10 feet tall indeed.

(Lovespell: Cindy-Rella premieres today before The Buzz.)